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I also don't like the way DirecTV refuses to let subscribers smart enough to purchase and install their own slimline dish who posess an R22 to subscribe to their HD programming without a new commitment.

its their internal system that doesnt allow it. From another forum

To everyone who has R22 in regards to HD and MRV: Directv TV systems Sibel's Rio and it underlying framework sees the R22 as an SD DVR Only. This is a unit that never left limited production as DTV realized what a pain it was going to be to deal with. So on an account with JUST R22s you can not add MRV or HD even though the R22 hardware and software support HD and MRV. This is not an issue of equipment but on limitations of directv own internal software systems. For MRV to be added you need to have 1 HDDVR and 1HD box at the minimum. NO ifs NO ands NO buts.

As some one with 2 R22's when I upgraded to HD I had to get a HD receiver on the account. So I got a H23 and put that on a SDTV and kept the 2 R22's on the account on HDTV's

OK, I was letting that go, but now I have to comment. I was referring to how they treated the product (not the adoption process), as something unique and special, to be charged extra for. You wait 10 yrs for something to be mainstream these days, and it's obsolete 5 years ago.

Besides, addressing the tech, times are different. 10 and 20yr adoption cycles are looooong gone, as much as the older ones among us (and yes I count myself in there) don't like it.

Color TV was introduced in the U.S. in 1954. Full color broadcasting didn't occur until 1966 or 1967. The use of black and white TV sets continued years after that. It was a long, slow transition. The same applies to the transition from SD to HD. A long, slow process. Read some of Satelliteracer's posts. He's explained several times why it's not easy going from SD to HD. As for the crap kids are watching on TV you can thank their parents for allowing them to do so.

------------------------------------------------------------------------A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.

I never could figure out what the appeal of Baby First TV was when I saw the free previews. My 2yo niece loves Sprout on channel 295. She knows all the different shows and the schedule by heart. I think it's helped her with cognitive, verbal and social skills too.

I never could figure out what the appeal of Baby First TV was when I saw the free previews. My 2yo niece loves Sprout on channel 295. She knows all the different shows and the schedule by heart. I think it's helped her with cognitive, verbal and social skills too.

My daughter liked it when she was about that age, although she likes stuff on Sprout and Nick Jr as well. I will confess, though, I do have a bit of a soft spot for Tech the Tractor. I'm looking forward to being able to see it for free.

A) Why in the H*LL is a 5 month old in front of any kind of electronic screen.

If I'm correct in assuming that it has been moved to either 99 or 103, then any DirecTV system that can't get it is in the dark ages and it's owners should get with the program. I am routinely baffled as to why people who pay for TV don't have HDTV. They just don't get it.

If anything gets moved to 119, then I feel bad for people in the big DMAs, since they all seem to get installed on the Slimline-3 dishes, not the Slimline-5's that have access to 110 and 119. Here, any installation will have access to all 5, since our locals are spot'ed on 119.

If I'm correct in assuming that it has been moved to either 99 or 103, then any DirecTV system that can't get it is in the dark ages and it's owners should get with the program. I am routinely baffled as to why people who pay for TV don't have HDTV. They just don't get it.

1. Finances2. Older in age3. Not that big a deal to them4. Other reasons.

Take your pick.

My wife does cancer research and one of her patients doesn't have HD in their apartment. Should HD be that big of a deal to them?

1 - Baby First TV is pointless. There is simply no science behind it (or its video alternatives). Babies have no business watching TV.

2 - DirecTV is changing ONE CHANNEL and the OP (a first time poster) thinks this is so important he has to call the FCC!!!!!!!! Goodness! It goes from $6/month to "free" (included in a basic package). All you have to do is get an equipment upgrade you need anyway, which DirecTV will probably give you free, and which if not the cost of which will be far less than paying for the channel in just a few months. This makes me rethink my point #1 relative to the OP's child. Spending time with TV has to be better than the alternative.

Funny you should say that. Some of my old friends decided to get together and have a pickup ball hockey game. When we got talking, we started to ask; where are our sons and why aren't they out here playing ball hockey? When I was a kid, we used to play baseball for 6 months, put the bat down and pick up a hockey stick for 6 months. That was a pattern that went on for 20 years, for years into my marriage. Kids now just sit in front of a computer screen or walk around with ear buds on and glaring into their smart phones. Our society has turned into a wimp society, with politically correct protocol taking over.

Kids nowadays and their Rock and Roll music.

Complaints like this have been going on for generations and generations and it is no different now. The world isn't going to end and when our kids have their own kids they will be complaining about "kids nowadays" as well.

1 - Baby First TV is pointless. There is simply no science behind it (or its video alternatives). Babies have no business watching TV.

2 - DirecTV is changing ONE CHANNEL and the OP (a first time poster) thinks this is so important he has to call the FCC!!!!!!!! Goodness! It goes from $6/month to "free" (included in a basic package). All you have to do is get an equipment upgrade you need anyway, which DirecTV will probably give you free, and which if not the cost of which will be far less than paying for the channel in just a few months. This makes me rethink my point #1 relative to the OP's child. Spending time with TV has to be better than the alternative.

But, it's not the first one they've done this to, and whole many probably can get free equipment, it wold trigger a contract. I don't see it as greed as some suggest, since many don't pay the HD fee anyway. But I do hope these are the exceptions.

I don't have any young children, but I DID enjoy watching the NASA channel with my non-HD subscription to DirecTV. If this "ploy" continues with more channels, I'll probably upgrade to satellite HD-just not from DirecTV since I don't like the way it's being done.

I also don't like the way DirecTV refuses to let subscribers smart enough to purchase and install their own slimline dish who posess an R22 to subscribe to their HD programming without a new commitment.

Sounds like this is all this is,GREED FROM DIRECTV!!!!!

They will give that FREE but they get you in FEEs for getting thier garbage! (They are trying to get of all the boxs that arent theres (As an excuse to get $$$) and its sickening!)

I have had them 12 years and if they try to make me get rid of my box I WILL CANCEL IN 2 SECONDS!!!! (My box is the best i have ever had,the speed and response cant beat)

Maybe this is just the very beginning of DirecTV's move to all mpeg-4.

I have a feeling that they will upgrade anyone to hd equipment for free if they sub to babytv right now. I could be wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

Per month, this will be cheaper if you use auto pay, so I don't see any increase in price there. The only possible increase is for those they won't offer free upgrades to, but again, if your currently a Babytv sub, then I'd ask them for free upgrade, and I bet they will accommodation no matter what.

Maybe this is just the very beginning of DirecTV's move to all mpeg-4.

I have a feeling that they will upgrade anyone to hd equipment for free if they sub to babytv right now. I could be wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

Per month, this will be cheaper if you use auto pay, so I don't see any increase in price there. The only possible increase is for those they won't offer free upgrades to, but again, if your currently a Babytv sub, then I'd ask them for free upgrade, and I bet they will accommodation no matter what.

Once the new customer offer starts only offering mpeg 4 receivers is when the transition really starts. The HR34 however was, I think, the first real step to prepare for that.

I suspect that they will migrate to all mpeg-4 from several directions, and I should have said this may be the begin in terms of national broadcast channels, they have already stared that thinking with some of the LIL's. I think they will do it via hardware, and offerings both.

I suspect that they will migrate to all mpeg-4 from several directions, and I should have said this may be the begin in terms of national broadcast channels, they have already stared that thinking with some of the LIL's. I think they will do it via hardware, and offerings both.

well they need to do some thing about all the sports bar's and hotels with SD boxes and SD matrix switches / analog cox. Directv may need to keep stocks of older h23 / h24 that has more ports then what the h25 has and the older h23 / h24 works with Multi-switchs. Now HD boxes can out put SD for the older matrix switches but they don't have analog cox out.

Also I think that Commercial places own the receivers so Directv may have to offer a deal in where they give you free HD equipment upgrade (up X boxes I think most places have at least 8 boxes) + dish + Multi-switch + SWIM + dish. For signing up for HD. But any ways down the road as SD goes way they may have to do it any ways. Maybe also have some kind of kick back to help the Commercial places on the upgrade cost to the matrix switches systems.

While you may agree with them [which is fine], the OP looks to be a hit and run poster, since there is one post, this thread, and three minutes later was their last activity [six days ago] on this forum.

Right. But DirecTV will provide an HD dish with free installation when HD Receivers/DVRs are added to the account. And even the $10/mo HD Package fee is waived if you sign up for paperless bill paying.

And you are locked in to another 2 year agreement as well, which might be something the topic starter does not want.

In my opinion, his complaint is SOMEWHAT valid. Why does DirecTV have to move the channel to a satellite that some current viewers might not be able to receive due to the lack of proper equipment? It is an SD channel, why not leave it exactly where it is?

In this situation, it seems like that if you don't currently have HD equipment (because you are happy with your current TV), the only way to continue to watch this BabyFirst channel, is to get locked in to another 2 year contract.

[Disclaimer] The definition of "soon" is based solely on DirecTV's interpretation of the word, and all similarities with dictionary definitions of the word "soon" are purely coincidental and should not be interpreted as a time frame that will come to pass within a reasonable amount of time.

And you are locked in to another 2 year agreement as well, which might be something the topic starter does not want.

In this situation, it seems like that if you don't currently have HD equipment (because you are happy with your current TV), the only way to continue to watch this BabyFirst channel, is to get locked in to another 2 year contract.

Not necessarily true. You can upgrade the dish yourself to a HD-capable dish and can purchase your own HD receivers (owned ones) or at least a MPEG-4 receiver, such as the R22. I'm not absolutely positive, but if you had a R22 receiver and a HD-capable dish, you should be able to see Baby First TV. If anything, you would need to subscribe to HD service, but using AutoPay you would get that fee credited back to you (in this case you would also require an actual HD receiver or DVR and not just a R22).

And since you are activating owned receivers, there would be no new lease agreement.

Not necessarily true. You can upgrade the dish yourself to a HD-capable dish and can purchase your own HD receivers (owned ones) or at least a MPEG-4 receiver, such as the R22. I'm not absolutely positive, but if you had a R22 receiver and a HD-capable dish, you should be able to see Baby First TV. If anything, you would need to subscribe to HD service, but using AutoPay you would get that fee credited back to you (in this case you would also require an actual HD receiver or DVR and not just a R22).

And since you are activating owned receivers, there would be no new lease agreement.

- Merg

And again, if your currently a sub to baby tv, I'd call in and ask for a free upgrade with no new commitment, since they are changing how you can get it, and you are not trying to add it.